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Dr O’Neill, whose doctorate is in the history of medicine from the University of Manchester – has spent most of his career working with services for children and young people with local authorities across the Midlands.
Currently director of education and skills at the Birmingham City Council, he is responsible for statutory children’s services (DCS), and commissioning for the country’s largest Children’s Trust including children’s social care, fostering and adoption and youth offending services.
Having been at the council since 2019, he is also responsible for all children and young people’s services including early help, special educational needs, and services for maintained schools, including school improvement and admissions, early years and childcare sufficiency.
He said: ‘I am absolutely delighted to be joining Action for Children as managing director of children’s services.
‘In a time of great challenge, there’s never been a better time to join an organisation with such a strong reputation for improving the lives of thousands of vulnerable children, young people and families. I can’t wait to begin working with staff to help grow the influence of our charity in the years to come.’
Action for Children chief executive, Melanie Armstrong, said: ‘The Board and I are delighted to welcome Tim to the team and are very much looking forward to working with him.
‘With his passion and experience within the youth, education and children’s services sectors, he brings considerable strategic insight, energy and ambition to help us transform the lives of vulnerable children and young people across the UK.’
Birmingham City Council chief executive Chris Naylor said: ‘Tim’s decision is not one that he has taken lightly and I would like to thank him on behalf of the council for his contribution to the council and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.’
Action for Children’s current managing director of children’s services, Carol Iddon, has announced she is retiring from the charity after seventeen years. Mrs Iddon, who has also been deputy CEO of the organisation for the past 20 months, will step down at the end of January.
Dr O’Neill will start in his new post on February 1.
Photo Credit – Action for Children